Metal-punching machine



Oct. 12 ,1926.-

"QELEDF i I1 :I H I I J mg 1 E L r K1 M 1 Q R wnwsssea m Filed May 11. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. P THOMAS METAL PUNCHING MACHINE 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May l 516 m i \r .w

\N mm mm w/ ryssss J G. P. THOMAS METAL PUNCHI NG' MACHINE Oct. 12 1926.

Filed May 11 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet lNl/ENTOR 1 A, Md

Oct, 12 1926. 1,602,421

(5. P. THOMAS METAL PUNCHING MACHINE Filed May 11 192s s Sheets-Sheet 4 /N VE/VTOR W/TkESSES v I v J. yK 4 m *fiwh,

Oct. 12 1926. 1,602,421

G. P. THOMAS METAL PUNCHING MACHINE dwawra wnwssses l? N @071: lv d law.

Patented Get. 12, 19.26.

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ItIE'lAL-FPU'ITCHING LEASE-LINE.

Application fi-led May'll,

The invention relates to platepunching machin s of the general type in which a templet and work-support is mounted for univer al movement in a horizontal plane with relation to a punch, and an index finger is arranged to cooperate with the teni .plet to properly position a plate for punch in-g it.

An object of the invention is to provide a punching machine of this type in which the punch is equipped with a plurality of punching tools adapted to be selectively controlled in coordination with a plurality of:

index pins, and in which the operation of the punching head is controlled by the index pins. 7

A further object is :to provide a machine of this type in which the plate being punched may be freely moved between punching operat-ions. j r

A still iurtherobject is to improve the general construction of such punch ng n ac'hines to theend that they may be satisia-cto'rilv used for punching large plates;

and may be used for punching different sized holes in. plates of any dimenslons.

The invention is illustrated in the accornpanying drawings of which Fig. 1 1s an elevation. of the lower portion of the machine; Fig. 2 a plan view of the portion of the Inac'hine'shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a vertical sectional View to enlarged scale taken on the line Ill-ill, Fig. 2 Fig. 4 askeleton plan view of certain operatlng mechanism, the plane of view belng indlcateden the line IVIV, Fig. 1; Fig. 5 an elevat on of the front of the punch; Fig. 6 a side elevation of the p'unch; Fig. 7 a vertlcal sectional view taken on the line 'VIIVH,

Fig. 5; and Fig. 8 a sectional View to enlarged scale taken on the line VIII-VIII, I i-5L2. I I

lln the practice of the invention a punch having a reciprocating head equ pped with a pluralityof independently controlled punchtools is associated with a templet and Worl: support which is universally movable in a horizontal plane to move a plate to desired position with relat on to punching tools. :A teinpl'et prov ded with holes spaced as they are required to he punched in the plate is arranged on the supportadjacent to the plate, and a plurality of index pins are arranged for reg stering with the holes -1n -the teniplet. Each index pin is operatively connected with a 19253. Se r ial lie. 63.271.

punching tool so that wh nde'x hill is inserted in a hole in the ternplet the punching teel to which "the 'pin "is connected "is rendered operative. The reciprocation of the punching head is controlled by clutch or equivalent device which in turn is controlled any one of the several index pins. That the dies inay not gen-11; the ni -vemne .ot the plate after punch ng operations," revision is made fer,- lb Q' 1111b d 1. 0 1 5 to: ei from the plate. Further features of the invention he .explairiedin connection with thedescrlption of the machine shown in the drawings; 1 v p M h In describing the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the .te nplet and work-support will first 'loe ,enpl ed and thereafter the punch and index finger meohanfism. Th fiml n rkrls-u i 'pon ee pi' s a stationary r"r,a1ne l on which there is mounted v for movement toward 7 and fro ni the punch an intermediate frame 2 which supports a plate and templet receivingf'franie 3 mounted tor niove nents at right angles to; llllQ'IIiOVGDfl-Elllii: ot the intermediate upon the stationary frame. The intermediate frame is provided. at its ends with a plurality of grooved rolls 4 which ride upon tra'chs which maybe inthe torin ef a igle's ",5 mountedupon the ends of stationaryfraine the angles having their foll esupporting edges V-shaped ,to cont'orin with tl figrooves in rolls t. Between its ,ends the, intermediate frame is provided with a suitablefnuniiber .of Wheels or rollers 6 having cylindrical faces adapted to ride upon flat faces, .or edges of angles or tracks 7.

I l Vhile the intermediateframe may, as is ordinarily done, heipushedto and from the punch, arac'k and pinion drive is preferably provided for this purpose, particularly when the frame is long tor punchinglarger plates than have usually been punched with this type o lf nachines. The end angles .5 :of the statienary fiiaine are .shovvna-fs b,eing ,prowided with racks, 8, and ,the interrnedia'te f-rarne with a shaft 9 having pinionjs 10 ,at i-t j ends, enga ng he. rack This haf may be rotated by a hand wheel 11 attached wit a eeee eni et PQ t -a;

The tei lpletand werk ne e i gff ifi is t-"lin n itS lOWer side with a pai 0f milslz which rest .uppn 1g ovel1fQ1jl 1.3 inounteden shafts 1 i supported bylntermediate flame 2. 111 machines of this type,

particularly when used for punching long and thin plates, the movements of the workreceiving frame are frequently obstructed by the punch dies, both because the plates sag upon the dies and because burrs are formed on the lower faces of the plates by the dies. To render the work-receiving frame freely movable, means are provided for holding it yieldingly upwardly and for urging the plate upwardly. For this purpose the ends of shafts 14 are preferably mounted in bearing blocks 15 arranged for vertical. movements in housings 16 attached to the intermediate frame, and springs 17 are arranged in these housings to yieldingly hold shafts 14 and their supporting rolls upwardly. Also, the plate being punched is preferably urged yieldingly upwardly by means of a series of arms 18 pivoted in brackets 19 attached to intermediate frame 2, one end of each arm being provided with a roller 20 and the other end urged downwardly by a spring 21 in the manner clearly indicated in Fig. 8.

Frame 3 is shown as being provided at one end with a plate 22 to be punched and at its other end with a templet 23 provided with holes arranged in the relative positions in which it is desired to punch holes in the plate. Both the plate and templet are broken away to show the parts of the templet and work support. The plate may be attached to frame 3 by means of suitable clamps 2 1, and the templet by means of a clamp 25, although other suitable clamping devices may be provided for these purposes.

Having reference now to the punch, it may be of the familiar horse-shoe type comprising a frame 26 having a head 27 adapted to be reciprocated in the usual manner by a rotatable shaft 28 driven by a motor 29. The driving connections between the motor and shaft include a clutch 30, which is preferably operated by an electro-magnet or solenoid 30 in the manner indicated. The punching head 27 is equipped with a plurality of punches 31, 31 31 and 31 which may be of different sizes depending upon the different diameters of holes that may be required to be punched. The operability of the punching tools upon the descent of head 27 is selectively controlled by gags in the manner presently to be explained.

Allusion has already been made to the ob struction of the movements of a plate by reason of its contact with a die, and features of construction of the templet and worksupport for eliminating or minimizing such obstruction have been explained. To the same end, the punch is preferably provided with means for moving the dies downwardly after, and upwardly before, each punching operation. In the illustrative embodiment of this feature of the invention, shown particularly in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, dies 50,

50 and 50 are mounted in a die holder 51 which is slidable vertically in punch anvil 52. A wedge-shaped block 53 is mounted in the anvil for horizontal movements which are effected by and in coordination with the mechanism for reciprocating the punching tools. Block 53 may be provided with inclined flanges 5r arranged in corresponding grooves 55 in the sides of die holder 51, and may be provided with horizontal flanges 56 adapted to move in corresponding grooves 57 in the anvil. For reciprocating block 53 horizontally, the end of shaft 28 may be provided with a cam 58 having a groove 59 in which there is arranged a pin or roller 60 extending laterally from an end of a lever 61. This lever is attached to a rock shaft 62 supported by brackets at the side of punch frame 26. At the rear of the gap in the punch frame shaft 62 is provided with an arm 63 pivotally connected to the upper end of a link or pitman 64 which at its lower end is pivotally connected to an arm 65 attached to a rock shaft 66. This shaft may be mounted in brackets projecting from the punch frame below its gap, and is connected to wedge block 53 by an arm 67 and a link 68.

By the chain of connections just described block 53 is moved .inwardly to raise die block 51, as the punching head descends,

and after the punching operation is moved downwardly to cause the die block to recede below the plate being punched. While it is preferred to provide wedge block 53 with flanges 55 and 57 to positively move the die block downwardly, gravity may be relied pen for this purpose, or other mechanism may be provided. I

Turning now to the index pin mechanism, an arm 33 is supported at its rear end by stationaryframe 1, and is provided at its forward end with a plurality of reciprocable index pins 3a, 349, etc. Since the connection extending from each of these pins for controlling one of the punching tools is the same, the connection from but onepin will be explained. The upper end of pin 34- is pivotally attached to a hand lever 35 which is pivoted to a link 36 mounted on arm 33. The inner end of lever 35 is pivotally connected through a link 37 to an arm 38 attached to a rock shaft 39v extending between arm 33 and punch frame 26. Beneath the overhanging. portion of the punch frame shaft 39 is provided with an arm 40 pivotally connected to a rod 4E1 which is attached to a 4:2 for controlling punching tool 31. When lever 35 is depressed to cause index pin 34 to enter a hole in templet 23, rod 5 .1 is, by the train of connections just explained, moved to cause gag 4:2 to back punching tool 31, so that when the reciprocating punching head moves downwardly this tool will function. i

7 use As previously stated, means 'coondinated with each one of the index fingers is provided for controlling clutch 30. Thismay conveniently be effected by closing a circui't througlh clutch-actuating solenoid '30. @n the top of arm there is mounted ,a stationary con'tactor 453, and, cooperating with it, there is a pivotally mounted arm 44 provided with a contactor attachec'l to a rock sh'a'tt 46 to which there is attached a second arm 1 pivota'lly connected to a link 48. 'Ihis-link is provided with a series of slots 4:9 each of which re ceives a pin extending laterally from an arm "70 attached to shafts '39, 39 etc. Thus, re

gardless of which one or" these shafts may he rocked by moving one or the other of the index pins into hole in the templet, arm 44 'is depressed to cause contactor 45 to contact with cont'actor 3 and thereby close a circuit 71 through the clutch-actuating "solenoid. The-solenoid being thus energized,

connection is established between motor 29 and shaft 28 with the result that the reciprocating punching head descends. Upon the release ot a hand lever, its index pin is restored to its normal upper position by means of a spring arranged between its actuating hand lever and arm To cause contact'or lo to move upwardly to brealr the circuit through the solenoid, a spring 73 may be arranged between arm a? and. arm '33 in the manner indicated.

In the operation of the machine a plate 22 to be punched is placed upon frame 3 and clamped to it by means of clamps 24, and a templet 23 is attached to the other end of this frame A single operator may then move frames 2 and 3 to bring the templet beneath the required index finger for punching the desired hole. For example, when a hole is to be punched by punching tool 31, this is indicated on the templet either by the size of the hole through it or otherwise, and this templet'hole is brought beneath index finger 34. Hand lever 35 is then depressed to cause the index finger to enter the hole in the temp'let. This, through the connections previously explained, causes gag 42 to move back of punching tool 31, and also causes contactor 45 to make contact with contactor 43 to close circuit 71 through clutch-actuating solenoid 30 The punching head then moves downwardly to cause punch 31 to perforate the plate. In the same manner the downward movement of any one of the other hand levers 35 35 and 35, controls the func ioning of the punches 82 32 and 32, respectively, and likewise controls the operation of the clutch.

Between each punching operation the work-supporting frames 2 and 8 are moved, the former by the rack and pinion connections 8 and 9 and the latter by direct manua1 movement; The obstruction to these Arm 44 is movements eliminated by the downward movement "of the dies insemination W'lll'll "the upward movements of the punches, and

"also by the resilient supports for frame "2 p and the spr ng-actuated arms 18 on frame" stood t'hat the invention is applicable to chines 'forpn'nchi g'platcs of a v'v ide variety ofsizesand this ins-sees.

According to the provisions of the patent statute, "I have explained'the principle and operation of my invention, and have 'described it in connection with a machine which 'Tnow consider to represent the best embodiment of it; However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope or the appended claims, the invention may be practiced by other forms of machines than that particularly illustrated and described.

I cla'iin'as 'm'y'invention: 1. In a punching machine, the combination of a punch having a reciprocatory head equipped'with a plurality of independently controllable punching tools, means for controlling the reciprocation of said head, a

movable templet and work-support, a pl u rality "of independently movable index pins arranged 'to cooperate with a tempie't borne by said support, connections extending from each of'said pins to "said tools whereby a movement of one ofthe pins renders one of the tools operative, and means actuated by the movements of said index pin for operating said head-controlling means.

2.111 a punching machine, the combination of a punch having a reciprocatory head equipped with a plurality of independently controllable punching tools, a clutch for controlling the reciprocation of said head, a templet and work-support mounted for universal movement in a horizontal" plane with relation to said punch, a plurality of independently movable index pins arranged to cooperate with a templet borne by said sup port, connections extending from each of said pins to said tools whereby the move- 1 ment of a pin renders one of the tools operative, and a single means actuated by the movement of said index pin for moving said clutch to cause the punch head to reciprocate. I 3. In a punching machine, the combination of a punch having a reciprocatory head equipped with a plurality of independently I controllable punching tools, an electrically operated clutch for controlling the reciprocation of said head, a movable templetand work-support, a plurality of independently movable index pins arranged to cooperate with a templet borne by said support, connec ions exten ing om sa pin to sa d tools whereby the movement of a pin renders one of the tools operative, and a circuit-controlling device for said clutch actuated by the movement of each of said pins.

4. In a punching machine, the combination of a punch having a reciprocatory head equipped with a plurality of punching tools, a separate gag for controlling the operation of each tool, a clutch for controlling the reciprocation of said head, a templet and work-support mounted for universal movement in the horizontal plane with relation to said punch, a plurality of movable index pins arranged to cooperate with a templet borne by said support, levers for operating each of said pins, connections extending from said levers to said gags whereby the movement of a lever throws a gag for one of said tools, and means controlled by the movement of each of said levers for moving said clutch to cause the punching head to reciprocate.

5. The combination with a punching machine, of a templet and work-support comprising a stationary table, an intermediate frame mounted on said table for movements to and from the punch and provided with a plurality of vertically yielding rollers, ant a work and templet receiving frame mounted upon said rollers for movements at right angles to the movements of theintermediate frame upon the table, and urged upwardly by said rollers.

6. The combination with a punching machine, of a templet and work-support comprising a stationary table, an intermediate frame mounted on said table for movements to and from said punch, a work and templet receiving frame mounted upon said intermediate frame for movements at right angles to the movements of the intermediate frame upon said table, and arms borne by said intermediate frame and urged yieldingly upwardly against a plate borne by said work and templet receiving frame.

7. The combination with a metal punclr ing machine, of a work-support comprising a stationary table provided with not less than three parallel supporting rails, a frame provided with rollers mounted on said rails two of said rails and the rollers supported by them being provided with cooperating grooves and projections for keeping the frame in alignment, and another of said rails arranged between said two rails having flat roll-supporting faces.

8. The combination with a metal punching machine, of a work-support comprising a stationary table provided with a series of parallel supporting rails, the rails at the ends of said series having convex roll-supporting faces and the intermediate rails of the series having flat roll-supporting faces, and a frame provided with a plurality of series of rollers mounted on said rails, the series of rollers at the ends of the frame having concave rail-engaging faces and the series of rollers intermediate the ends having cylindrical rail-engaging faces.

In testimony whereof, I sign my name.

GEORGE P. THOMA s. 

